CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Bright red tomatoes spilled across vendors’ tables as festivalgoers wandered through the closed-off stretch of Graves Street, sampling fresh slices of heirloom tomatoes, browsing tomato-inspired artwork and snapping photos in outfits that ranged from subtle red accents to full tomato-themed costumes.
The second annual Tomato Tomato Fest brought together hundreds of local farmers, artists and neighbors for an afternoon that celebrated one of summer’s most iconic crops.
“It’s a crop that really encapsulates what summer feels like and tastes like,” lead organizer Kendall King told Cville Right Now.
For King, the festival is about appreciating tomatoes at the height of their season.
“Tomatoes are a really sensitive, ephemeral crop,” King said. “They taste so good when you let them ripen and then eat them right away out of your garden or your farm.”
Visitors strolled between local vendors offering tomato-themed foods and drinks while others admired artwork inspired by the fruit. Families partook in tomato tastings, gardeners compared their favorite varieties and children laughed as they searched for the biggest tomatoes on display.
Winners were announced in the categories of prettiest, biggest, and tastiest tomato by a crew of local chef judges, while the artwork had its own voting booth with the winner decided by public vote.
King believes the festival feels at home in Charlottesville because of the community’s appreciation for local businesses and the arts.
“We’re a community that’s fairly connected to local farms and small local businesses. I think we appreciate stuff like that,” she said. “We’re also an art-appreciative community, so it’s nice to have a festival with a really specific theme to make art about.”
The event encouraged attendees to lean into the fun, with many arriving dressed for the occasion in bright red clothing, tomato earrings, handmade hats and playful costumes.
“It’s super fun to dress up and be in public and just be lighthearted and goofy together,” King said.
Attendees could even pose in their ornate outfits in the Duke’s Mayo photo booth, offered by their sponsorship of the event.
The sea of tomato clad outfits and accessories had a few passersby gawking at the spectacle.
“I hope people are encouraged to be creative in public,” she added. “Last year I was really moved by how much people put time and attention into their outfits and being on theme. It’s actually really awesome when people commit.”
Beyond the festivities, King hopes the event reminds people of the value of supporting local growers.
“It’s encouraging to have people come out and say, ‘We really appreciate this, we want to spend our money here, and we want to celebrate this specifically locally grown thing,'” she said.
As visitors lingered over tomato tastings, chatted with farmers and artists and enjoyed the festive atmosphere, King said that’s exactly the feeling she hopes people leave with.
